Prepare to be amazed as the Grand Opera House Summer Youth Project presents a rip-roaring adaptation of Bugsy Malone from Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 July. Join the fun as 250 of Northern Ireland’s brightest young stars sing, dance and shoot their way through this high-octane, pint-sized gangster musical!
Proudly supported by The Co-operative, Belfast Harbour and the BBC Performing Arts Fund, Bugsy Malone is the biggest youth theatre project in Northern Ireland, bringing together 250 local young people aged 8-18 to perform on the magnificent stage of the Grand Opera House.
They will work closely with an experienced team of theatre professionals to present 5 fun-filled public performances of the classic custard-splatting gangster musical!
Auditions for Bugsy Malone were held in March 2011, with over 350 supremely talented young people from across Northern Ireland taking part. They were put through their paces by a professional choreographer, director and musical director, with 250 singing and dancing their way into the final cast.
13 year old Nathan Braniff, a student at Campbell College Belfast, will take on the role of Bugsy Malone.
‘I auditioned for Bugsy because I’ve been to the Grand Opera House many times before and always wanted to appear on the stage myself’ he explains. ‘I’m sure I’ll be nervous when the curtain goes up, but I can’t get wait to get stuck in during rehearsals’.
Nathan is joined by 16 year old Louise Brown from Strathearn School in the role of nightclub singer Tallulah. ‘I love acting and singing – it’s always been an ambition of mine to perform at the Grand Opera House, and I’m really looking forward to stepping out onto the stage on opening night’.
Thanks to the support of sponsors including The Co-operative, Belfast Harbour and the BBC Performing Arts Fund, the Grand Opera House were also able to provide financial bursaries for a number of participants.
Chief Executive Michael Ockwell, who is also directing Bugsy Malone, commented, ‘The Grand Opera House is often the first introduction to live theatre for many young people in Northern Ireland. We feel passionately that it is important to develop the performers of the future, and offer as many young people as possible the opportunity to appear on our magnificent stage’.
‘More importantly, projects such as these provide young people with the opportunity to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication skills, and enhanced self-confidence. The enthusiasm and commitment of the cast has been a wonder to behold and I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the fruits of their labour’ he added.
Bugsy Malone runs at the Grand Opera House from Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 July. Tickets are priced £10.25 – £15.00 are available from Box Office in the theatre foyer, online at www.goh.co.uk or by calling 028 9024 1919.
Proudly sponsored by The Co-Operative. Funded by Belfast Harbour and BBC Performing Arts Fund.